Aki Kumar with Curtis Salgado - "Back To Bombay" - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2016

www.akikumar.com
Aki Kumar performs his original song "Back to Bombay" with help from renowned Soul blues singer and blues harp master, Curtis Salgado!
AKI GOES TO BOLLYWOOD
An unprecedented mashup of Retro Bollywood Music & American Blues
Aki Kumar is no stranger to living double lives. The now professional harmonica player grew up in Mumbai, India and studied traditional Hindustani music at the age of 9 years old. The pursuit of a college degree in the USA landed him at San Jose State in California in 1999, followed by a steady “day job” as a software engineer. But, by night, Aki had begun exploring and hanging out at blues clubs in the SF Bay Area, and was especially drawn to the wailing, toneful sound of the blues harmonica. He soon began performing his own brand of Chicago blues at local venues and is now hailed as one of the top rising stars of the West Coast Blues scene. 2016 marks a milestone for Aki as he’s spent half his life in India and half in the United States. His debut album for Little Village Foundation, Aki Goes To Bollywood, is a true representation of his musical DNA - classic 1950s/60s Bollywood and down-home American blues.
Though some instrumental albums and DJs have attempted to rearrange Bollywood music mixed with other genres, never before has an Indian blues musician so triumphantly recorded songs by the film industry’s biggest stars such as Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, R.D. Burman, and S.D. Burman. Aki Kumar notes, “I realized that many of the Indian songs I loved had, in fact, been influenced by American blues music and I wanted to bring them together.” Aki Goes To Bollywood blends sitars with Delta blues jams, Hindi vocals with ferocious harp playing. Aki has single-handedly created Mumbai Meets Muddy, his own blues movement. For the album’s cover, Aki emulates his childhood hero and mega-star, Amitabh Bachchan.

[@martinespinomusic]

Finally, I knew this would happen it’s beautiful

[@joangelina5826]

Oh hell yeah...these guys right here!!!

[@sophiapde6679]

Go! Aki..with love from India..

[@sriramaha]

This music is so joyous...makes me smile!

[@Fabiokidesh]

Welcome to Brazil Aki!!

[@peterwehrmeyer2689]

I really like watching the old shows because I was there for most of it it's good to see them in public

[@Eyesandearsontheworl]

108 likes is an auspicious number, but I couldn't help myself I love this so much, being brought up with Chicago Blues and lived in India too. Aki, he's got it all! Got it DOWN!! ps my brother is Corky Siegel - mentored by Muddy & Wolf so...Bruz!!

[@akikumar]

Love Corky. Am a big fan. Thank you for the kind words 😎

[@Juliasblues]

That's Corky Siegel on stage ? I had every Siegel Schwall album ! Recently passed them on to a young Blues guitarist. Ali Kuar, we have the same taste in Blues ! Excellent, as ever ! 🤩

[@gaijin134]

Nice! Once you go brown...

[@OmniphonProductions]

I remember the first time I saw you perform at Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout, a few years ago. This song was part of your set, and the joy seemed to come off you in waves, immediately turning everyone in the room into a lifelong fan. It's great to see that _bounce_ on display here. I also LOVE the way you let your solo _breathe._ Even after ten years, I still have to remind myself about _restraint_ and finding the music in the _rests._ This is a great reminder of how effective _space_ can be. ...and, of course, CURTIS!!!

[@aritrakundu5452]

Wonderful! The harp has changed colors from black -> white-> brown! :) When are you planning a show in India :p ?

[@akikumar]

No plans yet, but hopefully soon!

[@SteveSentosa]

those brown skin women,make me feel right at home .... lol. Love it!